Journal box lid



H. J. STEWART JOURNAL BOX LID Dec. 16: 1952 Filed Nov, 15, 1950 4 Sheet -Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

HOWARD J. STEWART.

M MW

Dec.'"16, 1952 H. .1. STEWART 2,621,986

JOURNAL BOX LID Filed Nov. 15, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

F 7 HOWARD J. STEWART.

BY Q w Zwc' maw H. J. STEWART JOURNAL BOX LID Dec. 16, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 15, 1950 lllllllllllll lli- INVENTOR. HOWARD J. STEWART.

Dec. 16, 195? H. J. STEWART 2,521,936

JOURNAL BOX LID Filed Nov. 15, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. HOWARD J. STEWART.

Patented Dec. 16, 1952 UNITED STATES JOURNAL BOX LID Howard J. Stewart, Apollo, Pa., assignor to Union Spring and Manufacturing 00., New Kensington, Pin, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application November 15, 1950, Serial No. 195,829

This invention relates to journal box lids and. more particularly, to an improved arrangement of operating mechanism for yieldingly maintaining a lid in a position closing the opening in a journal box.

This application is a continuation-in-part application of my copending application Serial No. 35,212, filed June 25, 1948.

Journal boxes for railroad car axles, constructed in accordance with specifications provided by the Association of American Railroads, are provided with substantially square openings havin pivot lugs at the upper edges thereof to which lids for closing the openings may be pivoted. It is necessary that the closure lid be yieldingly maintained in a closed position, in order that access may be had to the journal box for inspection and the replenishment of lubricant. The mechanism for this purpose has heretofore usually comprised either a lever and a coil spring, or a spring lever, together with additional operating parts having an arrangement which was of necessity complicated and apt to get out of order. In addition, a further requirement of such structures is that the lid be universally mounted for limited movement relative to the journal box so that it may automatically adjust its position to compensate for irregularities in the material defining the opening in the journal box.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide a journal box lid with an improved arrangement of operating parts for moving the lid to a closed position, and in which provision is made in a novel manner for universal movement of the lid on the journal box. To this end, there is provided an operating member in the nature of a housing which is pivoted to the journal box for movement independently of the closure lid. The resilient bias for yieldingly maintaining the lid in its closed position is applied through the operating member which has engagement with the lid at a single point centrally located and of substantially small area about which the lid may have universal movement to adjust its position on the journal box. The bias is applied to the operating members by means of a spring having a novel configuration and application. The biasing spring has bearing engagement with the operating member and a pivot lug on the journal box in such manner that it is the only member required to control the operation of the lid, thereby eliminating the plurality of operating parts heretofore considered essential.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the followin description.

Claims. (0!. 308-47) 2 In the drawings there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention. In this showing:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a journal box lid and operating mechanism therefor constructed in ac- .cordance with the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the lid taken substantially along the line II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the operating member or housing taken substantially along the line III-III of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the closure lid and operating mechanism mounted on a journal box, a part of the operating mechanism being broken away and the journal box being shown in section;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational View of the housin or operating member shown in Figs. 1 and 4;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the spring employed to bias the lid to its closed position;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational View of the spring shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a modified journal box lid and operating mechanism having improvements which among others eliminates the necessity of hinging the lid to the journal box pin;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line X--X of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is an end elevational view of the modified strap employed to secure the hood to the lid in the structure shown in Figs. 8 and 12;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a modified structure similar to that shown in Fig. 8, but in which the hood is formed by casting rather than by stamping as in Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 12; and

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line XIV-XIV of Fig. 1.

The broken lines of Fig. 1 indicate a fiange 2 on a journal box which definies a substantially square opening 3 providing access to the interior of a journal box for inspection and the replenishment of lubrication. A lid 4 is provided for closing the opening 3. The lid 4 is a sheet metal stamping or ferrous casting which is provided with a fiat surface 5 on its under side for sealin engagement with the journal box flange 2. The upper edge of the stamping from which the lid 4 is formed is provided with a pair of projecting strips or tongues 6 which are doubled back to provide an opening 1 for the reception of a pivot pin 8. The opening 1, as best shown in Fig. 4, is considerably larger than the diameter of the pivot pin 8 so that the lid 4 which is pivotal about the pin 8 may adjust its position on the journal box in a manner to be described. The pin 8 is supported by a pivot lug 9 of conventional construction, as specified by the Association of American Railroads, and constituting part of the journal box. The tongues 6 provide a hinge for the lid 4 on the pin 8. This hinge is reinforced and secured rigidly with respect to the lid 4 by a rod II] having welded connections with a hinge 6 and lid 4 as best shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

To control the operation of the lid 4, there is provided an operating member indicated as a whole by the numeral II. The operating member II is a pressed steel or cast metal housing comprising spaced side walls I2 and I3 connected together in spaced relation by a top or cover member I4. The upper portions of the side walls I2 and I3 are provided with ears I5 respectively having openings I6 for the reception of the pivot pin 8 and by which the member II is mounted pivotally on the pin 8. From the foregoing it will be noted that both the lid 4 and the operating member I I are pivotal on the pin 8 independently of each other. The lower end wall II of the housing member I I terminates in a flange or lip I8. The lip I8 has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape and is formed about an axis extending parallel to the axis of the opening I5 for a purpose to be described.

As best shown in Fig. 2 the central portion I9 of the lid is upset to provide a point 25. The operating member II is positioned on the lid 4 so that the under surface 2| of the lip I8 has contact with the point 28. By reason of the formation of the lid portion I9 to provide the point 20, the lid 4 will have limited movement about a vertical axis extending through the point 20 so that it may adjust its position to compensate for irregularities in the surface of the I;

flange 2. The operating member II is secured to the lid 4 by means of a strap 22, which has its ends connected by rivets 23 to the lid 4. Instead of using rivets 23, the ends of the strap 22 may be secured to the lid 4 by welding. The center portion 24 of the strap 22 has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape and is received in nesting engagement with the inner surface of the lip I8, as best shown in Fig. 4. From Fig. 4,

it will also be noted that the central portion I I9 of the lid carrying the upset part or point 20 is substantially semi-cylindrical to accommodate itself for the contour of the lip I8. By reason of the semi-cylindrical contour of the lip I8 and central portion of the strap 24, the lid 4 may rock about a horizontal axis in the plane of the lid 4 and passing through the point 20. It will thus be seen that the lid 4 may rock about horizontal and vertical axes which intersect centrally of the lid 4. In this manner limited universal movement of the lid 4 is had relative to the operating member II, and the lid 4 may readily adjust its position to compensate for irregularities in the surface of the flange 2 and thereby having sealing engagement with such flange.

For the purpose of yieldingly maintaining the lid 4 in a closed position on the flange 2 there is provided a spring 25. As best shown in Figs. 6 and '7, the spring 25 comprises two coil portions 26 and 27 formed about a common axis and respectively having free ends 28 and 29 at the adjacent ends of the coils. The remote ends 28a and 29a of the coils 25 and 21 are connected together to provide a bight so having a straight portion of wire between the bight on which is mounted a roller 3|. The spring is formed from spring rod steel stock initially in the shape of a hairpin in which the parts 28a and 29a form the arms and are connected by the bight 3G. The ends of the arms 28a and 29a are then coiled to provide the coils 26 and 21 and the free ends 28 and 29 which project upwardly toward the bight 33. The coils 26 and 21 are mounted on a cylindrical tube 32 with their free ends 28 and 29 engaged with the under surface of the cover member I4, as at 33. As best shown in Fig. 3, the side walls I2 and I3 are upset to provide inwardly extending parts 34 which project into the ends of the tube 32 and thus function to securely fasten the tube in position with respect to the operating member II.

When there is no tension on the spring 25 the bight and ends 28 and 29 will occupy the relative positions shown in Fig. 7. After the spring is mounted on the tube 32 secured to the operating member II as described above, the roller 3i is moved inwardly to impart tension to the spring 25, and is moved into the relative position shown in Fig. 4. A locking pin 35 is then inserted through openings 36 formed in the walls i2 and I3 for preventing movement of the spring 25 so as to relieve itself of tension. When the spring 25 is secured with respect to the operating member II by the rod 35, the operating member II is then secured to the lid 4 by the fastening strap 24 as described above. The lid and operating member may then be mounted as a unit on the journal box by inserting the pivot pin 8 through the aligned openings provided by the hinges 6, the openings IS in the side walls of the housing member II, and the conventional pivot pin opening in the pivot lug 9 provided on the journal box. When the lid is thus mounted in position the parts will occupy the relative positions shown in Fig. i. In this position it will be noted that the outer surface of the roller 3i will be in engagement with the surface 39 on the pivot lug 9. To release the pin 35, it is merely necessary to rotate the lid 4 in a clock-wise direction and thereby move the roller 3| upwardly on the surface 39. This action will impart a further tension to the spring 25 and disengage the arms 28a and 22a from the locking pin 35 which may then be readily withdrawn through the openings 36. After the locldng pin 35 has been withdrawn the full tension of the spring 25 will be effective for yieldingly maintaining the lid 4 in closed position on the flanges 2 of the journal box. Attention is particularly invited to the fact that the spring 25 is the only element between the operating member EI and the journal box. No other relatively movable parts are required in order to transmit the bias of the spring 25 to the lid 4. The bight 39 of the spring has a bearing engagement with the pivot lug 9 through the roller H. The free ends 23 and 29 of the spring 25 have a bearing engagement with the operating member it at 33. The reactive force between these points of bearing engagement is transmitted directly to the operating member .II and is applied thereby to the lid 4 at the central point 29. The lid 4 is thus yieldingly maintained in engagement with the flange 2 of the journal box.

When it is desired to move the lid 4 to an open position, a hook may be inserted through the opening 40 at the bottom edge of the lid 4 for the purpose of pulling the lid outwardly and upwardly. This will cause the lid 4 to rotate about the pivot pin 8 to an open position. As the lid 4 is moved to an open position the roller 3| will ride upwardly on the surface 39 on the pivot lug 9, and the spring 25 will be compressed a slight additional amount. The pivot lug 9 is provided with a surface 4I angularly inclined with respect to the surface 39, and connected therewith by the rounded surface 42. If the roller 3| is moved over the rounded surface 42 into engagement with the surface 4I, the cover 4 will be held in an open position until such time as the lid 4 is operated to move the roller 3| back into engagement with the surface 39.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the spring 25 and its arrangement with respect to the operating member I I and the pivot lug 9 provides a simplified form of mechanism for yieldingly maintaining the journal box lid in a closed position. By the use of the spring 25, the provision of additional elements such as levers and consequent lever fulcrums heretofore required are no longer necessary. There are thus no parts which are apt to become disengaged and thus get out of order. Attention is also invited to the fact that the manner in which the closing force is applied through the abutting surfaces on the lid part I9 and the lip I8 provides a desirable arrangement by which universal movement of the lid 4 is permitted relative to the operating member II. This universal movement takes place about the single point of contact at 29. The single point of contact at 20 eliminates the complicated constructions heretofore required to provide for such universal movement.

When the lid structure shown in Figs. 1 and i is opened by inserting a hook through the opening 40 and pulling upwardly, the lid 4 rotates relatively to the hood II about the axis of the curved lip I8. This rotational movement is limited by engagement of the hinge 6 with the pivot pin 8. As soon as the hinge 6 engages with the pivot pin 8, further rotational movement of the lid 4 with respect to the hood II is prevented. Prior to mounting of the hood II and lid 4 on a journal box as during shipment to the point of assembly on a journal box, considerable rotation of these parts relative to each other may take place unless a pin 8 is inserted in the position shown in Fig. 1 to prevent such rotation. In the showings of Figs. 8 through 14, there is shown modified structure which has as one of its objects, among others, the elimination of the hinge 6 and the provision of additional structure for preventing rotational movement of the lid 4 relative to the hood I I regardless of whether such elements are mounted on a journal box.

Referring now to Figs. 8 through 11, there is shown a modified structure for mounting the lid 4 on a journal box, the hood being designated as a whole by the numeral I Ia. In this showing,

it will be noted that the hinges 6, shown in Figs. 1

and 2, on the lid 4 have been omitted. The lid 4 is provided with indentations as at 45 for reinforcing purposes, and a central ridge 46 extending vertically of the lid for a purpose to be described. The strap 22 is a modified structure compared to the strap shown in Fig. 1, and has its terminal ends 4! welded to the lid 4 as at 48. The lip I8 is flattened as at 49, and the strap 22 and lid 4 have contours corresponding to the flattened shape of the lip I8. Although flattening at 49 tends to reduce the ease of rotational movement 10f the lid about the axis of the lip I8, the parts are made with sufficient play to allow this motion to take place without interference from the flat 49. The departure from a substantially semicylindrical contour as shown in Fig. 5 by fiattening as at 46 is for the purpose of enabling the lid to rotate about its center or axis 50 perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of Fig. 8. The formation of the ridge 46 provides two points 5| which engage with the under surface of'the lip I8 as shown in Fig. 10, and which allow rotation of the lid 4 about the axis Ell. In order that this rotation may take place, the sides 52 of the strap are formed with a curvature so that they will not bind against the walls ll of the hood or the projection 53 of the lid. To limit rotation of the lid 4 about the axis 54 with respect to the hood I Ia, the upper edge of the lid is recessed as at 54, and the lower edges 55 of the hood ears I5 project into the recess 54. In this manner, the side edges 55 of the recess 54 will engage with the sides I2 and I3 of the hood II to limit rotation of the lid 4 about the axis 50.

Although the lid 4 has a two-point contact with the under side of the lip I8 as at 5I in Fig. 10, it will be noted that the portion of the lid laterally outwardly of the points EI has a taper similar to that forming the point 23 in Fig. 2. This taper which provides space 58 between the lip I8 and lid 4 will allow a self-adjusting rotation of the lid 4 with respect to the hood IIa about an axis extending in the plane of the drawing vertically of the lid as viewed in Fig. 8. The strap 22 has a taper laterally outwardly in opposite directions from its center to provide space 59 to allow this rotational movement to take place without any interference from the strap 22 since the strap 22 will rotate with the lid 4.

Although, as shown in Fig. 10, the strap 22 is shown engaged with the lip It at the center point BI] and the under side of the strap is shown engaged with the lid at the two points 5!, and a tight engagement of the lip I8 at these three points would be effective to prevent rotation of the lid 4 about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the drawing as shown in Fig. 10, it will be understood that sufficient play is provided in the fabrication of the structure to allow this selfadjusting rotation to take place. Self-adjusting.

rotation of this character will have the effect of rotating one or the other of the points 5i slightly out of engagement with the under surface of the lip I8. A single point engagement of the lid with the under side of the lip l8 as at 20 in Fig. 2 of the drawings is more effective in providing this self-rotational adjustment, but the provision of the two-point engagement as at 5| facilitates a rotational adjustment of the position of the lid with respect to its axis 50 as indicated in Fig. 8.

The ridge 4% provides a vertically extending opening on the upper surface of the lid as viewed in Fig. 8 through which dirt collecting underneath the hood Ila may move downwardly and out of the space underneath the hood Ho. The provision of the vertically extending slot or opening 43 thus tends to prevent a collection of dirt underneath the hood Ila which might otherwise be elfective to interfere with its operation.

As pointed out above, one of the objects of the modified lid structure shown in Fig. 8 is the elimination of the hinge eyes 6 which limit rotational movement of the lid 4 with respect to the hood I I about a horizontal axis in opening movement thereof. To limit rotational movement of the lid 4 about a horizontal axis during opening movement thereof, the upper side 52 of 7 the strap 22 is provided with a ledge 62 projecting outwardly from its upper edge. The end wall I! of the hood Ila is provided with an indentation 63 for the reception of the ledge 62- and with respect to which the ledge 62 is slightly spaced when the lid 4 is in its closed position abutting against the flanges of a. journal box opening. AS thelid 4 is rotated to an open position, rotational movement thereof about a horizontal axis as viewed in Fig. 4 will be effective to rotate the ledge 62 into abutting engagement with the indentation 63. In this manner, rotational movement of the lid 4 with respect to the hood Ha duringopening movement thereof will be limited.

With the exception of the hood Hb, the structure shown in Figs. 12 through 14 is identical to that shown in Figs. 8 through 11. Whereas the hood H of Fig. 1 and hood [la of Fig. 8 are formed from steel by a stamping operation, the hood I lb of Fig. 12 is formed of cast metal and in some respects is more rugged in construction. The hood Ilb is provided with cast journals 65 having openings 66 therein in which a pivot pin is receivable to mount the hood Hb on a journal box as illustrated. Another point of distinction is in the provision of a ridge 6! formed centrally and vertically along the under surface of the lip i8 and end wall IT. The ridge 6! projects into the space provided by the groove 46 and functions to reinforce the structure forming the. end wall I! and lip l8. Since the hood llb is formed of cast metal, the indentations 34 for mounting the tube 32 in position are pressed while the material forming such indentation is hot. Where malleable metal is used in casting the hood, the heating may be dispensed with and the indentations 34 may be cold pressed.

While I have illustrated and described several specific embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that this is by way of illustration only and that various changes and modifications may be made. within the contemplation of my invention and within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a lid structure for a journal. box having a pivot lug, a lid having a horizontally extending substantially semi-cylindrical recess, a hood. having a pivot at itsupper end for connection to the journal box pivot lug and a substantially semicylindrical hp at its lower end receivable in said recess in abutting engagement with the lid, and a strap having a substantially semi-cylindrical shape for holding the lip in saidrecess, said strap having its ends secured to the lid, the semi-cylindrical shape of the lip, recess, and strap. being effective to allow rotation of the lid relative. to the hood about the axis of said lip, thelid having a groove normal to and intersecting with said recess, the portions, of saidliddefining said. recess laterally of said groove tapering downwardly away from the hood lip received in the recess whereby the lip engages with the lid. along two semi-circular lines at the edges. oi said groove, the tapering construction, of said lid portionsbeing effective to allow tilting action of the. lid about an axis substantially normal to the axis of said recess.

2. In a lid structure for a journal box-having a pivot lug, a lid having a horizontally extending substantially semi-cylindrical recess, a hood having a. pivot at its. upper end for connection to the journal box pivot lug and a, substantially semi-cylindrical lip at its lower end receivable in said recess in abutting engagement with. the. lid, and a strap having a substantially semi-cylindrical shape for holding the lip in said. recess, said strap having its ends. secured to the. lid, the semicylindrical shape of the lip, recess, and strap being effective to allow rotation of the lid relative to the hood about the axis of said lip, the lid having a groove normal to and intersecting with said recess, the portions of said lid defining said recess laterally of said groove tapering downwardly away from the hood lip received in the recess whereby the lip engages with the lid along two semi-circular lines at the edges of said groove, the tapering construction of said lid portions being efiective to allow tilting action of the lid about an axis substantially normal to the. axis of said recess, said hood and lip having a ridge along the underside thereof receivable in said groove.

3. In a. lid structure for a journal. box having a. pivot. lug, a lid having a horizontally extending substantially semi-cylindrical recess, a hood having a pivot at its upper end for connection. to the journal box pivot lug and a substantially semicylindrical lip at its lower end receivable in said recess in abutting engagement with the lid, and a strap having a substantially semi-cylindrical shape for holding the lip in said recess, said strap having its ends secured to the lid, the semicylindrical shape of the lip, recess, and strap being effective to allow rotation of the lid relative to the hood about the axis of. said lip, the lid having a groove normal, to and intersecting with said recess, the portions of said lid defining said re.- cess laterally of said groove tapering downwardly away from the hood lip received in the recess whereby the lip engages with the lid along two semi-circular lines at the edges of said groove,

the upwardly projecting sides of the semi-circular strap having its ends curved away from the sides of said semi-circular recess so that the lid may pivot relatively to the hood about an axis centrally of and normal to said lid.

4. In a lid structure for a journal box having a pivot lug, a lid having a horizontally extending substantially semi-cylindrical recess, a hood having a pivot at its upper end for connection to the journal box pivot lug and a substantially semi-cylindrical lip at its lower end receivable in said recess in abutting engagement with the lid, and a strap having a substantially semi-cylincl-rical shape for holding the lip in said recess, said strap having its ends secured to the lid, the semi-cylindrical shape of the lip, recess, and strap being eflfective to allow rotation of the lid relative to the hood about the axis of said lip, the lid having a groove normal to and intersecting with said recess, the portions of said lid defining said recess laterally of, said groove tapering downwardly away from the hood lip received in the recess whereby the lip engages with thelid along two semi-circular lines at the edges of said groove, the upwardly projecting sides of the semi-cylindrical strap having its ends curved away from the sides of said semicylindrical recess so that the lid may pivot relatively to the hood about an axis centrally of and normal to said hood, the lip, lid, and strap each having flattened portions extending longitudinally along the bottom of their semi-cylindrical shape to facilitate. rotational adjustment about said last-named axis.

5. Ina lid structure for a journal box having a pivot lug, a lid having an elongated substantially semi-cylindrical recess in and extending transversely and centrally of its outer surface, the axial length of said recess being a substantial portion of the width. of the lid, a hood having a pivot at its upper end for connection to the journal box pivot lug and a substantially semi-cylindrical lip at its lower end, said lip being positioned in said recess in abutting engagement with said lid and having an axial length slightly less than the axial length of said recess, and a strap holding said lip in said recess with its central portion being of semi-cylindrical shape and having a nesting engagement with said lip, said lid recess, hood lip, and central strap portion having a substantially common axis parallel to the axis of said pivot whereby the lid and strap may have limited rotation relative to the hood about said lip axis, said strap having its ends extending axially beyond the ends of said lid recess and provided with rigid connections to the lid.

6. A lid structure as claimed in claim 5 characterized by said lip, strap, and lid recess having their engaging surfaces tapering in an axial direction relative to each other to allow said lid and strap a limited rocking movement relative to said hood about a vertical axis in the plane of the lid and extending centrally of and normal to said common axis.

7. A lid structure as claimed in claim 5 characterized by said central strap portion and lid recess each having a pair of end surfaces which respectively face opposite surfaces of said lip and diverge angularly outwardly in an axial direction relative to the lip surface faced thereby whereby said lid and strap may have limited rocking movement relative to said hood about a vertical axis extending centrally of and normal to said common axis.

8. In a lid structure for a journal box having a pivot lug, a lid having an elongated substantially semi-cylindrical recess in and extending transversely and centrally of its outer surface, the axial length of said recess being a substantial portion of the width of the lid, a hood having a pivot at its upper end for connection to the journal box pivot lug and a substantially semi-clyindrical lip at its lower end, said lip being positioned in said recess in abutting engagement with said lid and having an axial length slightly less than the axial length of said recess, and a strap holding said lip in said recess and having an axial length greater than the length of said recess with its central portion being of semi-cylindrical shape and having a nesting engagement with said lip, said lid recess, hood lip, and central strap portion having a substantially common axis parallel to the axis of said pivot whereby the lid and strap may have limited rotation relative to the hood about said lip axis, said strap having its ends extending axially beyond the ends of said lid recess and provided with rigid connections to the lid, said strap, lid recess, and lip including means on their engaging surfaces providing for limited rotation of the lid and strap relative to the hood about an axis normal to the lid.

9. In a lid structure for a journal box having a pivot lug, a lid having an elongated substantially semi-cylindrical recess in and extending transversely and centrally of its outer surface, the axial length of said recess being a substantial portion of the width of the lid, a hood having a pivot at its upper end for connection to the journal box pivot lug and a substantially semicylindrical lip at its lower end, said lip being positioned in said recess in abutting engagement with said lid and having an axial length slightly less than the axial length of said recess, and a holding said lip in said recess and having an axial length greater than the length of said mess with its central portion being of semicylindrical shape and having a nesting engagement with said lip, said lid recess, hood lip, and central strap portion having a substantially common axis parallel to the axis of said pivot whereby the lid and strap may have limited rotation relative to the hood about said lip axis, said strap having its ends extending axially beyond the ends of said lid recess and provided with rigid connections to the said strap, lid recess, and lip including means on their engaging surfaces providing for rotation of the lid and strap relative to the hood about an axis in the plane of the lid and to said common axis.

16. In a lid structure for a journal box having a pivot lug, a lid having an elongated substantially semicylindrical recess in and extending transversely centrally of its outer surface, the axial length of recess being a substantial portion of width of the lid, a hood having a pivot its end for connection to the journal box pivot and a substantially semilindrical lip at its lower end, said lip being positioned in 'ecess in abutting engagement with said lid and having an axial length slightly less than the axial length of said recess, and a strap holding said lip in said recess and having an axial length greater than the length of said recess with its central portion being of semicylindrical shape and having a nesting engagement with lip, said lid recess, hood lip, and central strap portion having a substantially common axis parallel to the axis of said pivot whereby the lid and strap may have limited rotation relative to the hood about said lip axis, said strap having its ends extending axially beyond the ends of said lid recess and provided with rigid connections to the lid, said strap, lid recess, and lip including means on their engaging surfaces providing for limited rotation of the lid and strap relative to the hood about two other axes extending normal to each other and to said concentric axes, one of said other axes being in the plane of the lid and the other being normal to the plane of the lid.

HOWARD J. STEWART.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,029,521 Couch Feb. 4, 1936 2,206,498 Couch July 2, 1940 2,349,973 McCormick May 30, 1944 2,486,694 Weber Nov. 1, 1949 

